Diary of Ada May Grimshaw

January 23, 1918

2012-01-24T20:21:00.000-08:00

Wed. Fine

Fred went at 3-20 in P.M. Went down town in P.M. with Marion. Fred came back about 9 in Eve. Missed connections. Waited in Charlstown depot.

January 22, 1918

2012-01-24T20:19:00.000-08:00

Tues. Fine

Washed a little in A.M. Fred came over to dinner. Ma & Pa came over. Went down town in P.M. All in. May got on honor roll.

January 21, 1918

2012-01-24T20:16:00.000-08:00

Mon. Cold & Lovely

Cleaned up stairs. Roof leaked in Marrons roof [?] and in kitchen. E. chopped ice from roof at noon & Eve. Pa & Fred came over. Ma went out. Went home.

January 20, 1918

2012-01-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

Sun. Cold

May wore new shoes. Went to S.S. Fred over to breakfast & dinner & supper. E. & he acted like nuts all day. MAde fudge. A & P burned in Eve. Saw search lights.

January 19, 1918

2012-01-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sat. Lovely Warmer

Fred came over to breakfast & dinner & supper. Fixed parlor lights. Ma & I went down town in Eve & P.M. May went to Movies in P.M. Colder in Eve.

January 18, 1918

2012-01-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

Fri. Cold

Shops closed for 5 days. School one session indefinitely. Glad. May is tickled. worked hard all day. Fred came on midnight. Ma & Pa came.

January 17, 1918

2012-01-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

Thurs. Lovely

Stop industries for 5 days also make Monday holiday for 10 weeks on acct. of coal shortage. Ironed in eve. Ma & Pa came. Went home in Eve. May is terribly tired.

January 16, 1918

2012-01-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Wed. Beautiful but cold

Ma came over in A.M. May went to school as usual. Went to committee meeting at Mrs. LaFountaine's in P.M. Ma & I went down town in Eve. Bought shoes & tablecloth.

January 15, 1918

2012-01-15T19:31:00.001-08:00

Tues. Terrible snow storm

School did not keep in P.M. Glad. snowed about 1 1/2 ft. Fixed pillow slips in P.M. Pa came over. Marion tended the boil all P.M.

January 14, 1918

2012-01-15T19:28:00.000-08:00

Mon. Cold

Marion got here at 3-30 this A.M. Looks bad. Been sick. School began. May was glad to go. Ma & I went down town in P.M. Pa came over in Eve. Marion has a boil.

January 13, 1918

2012-01-12T19:00:00.000-08:00

Sun. Colder

May wore new brown & plaid dress. Feels pretty fine. Looks good. Went down town for Grandpa [sic] paper. Pa & Ma came over. went home in P.M. Miss R. is coming in at midnight. Finished sweater for Red Cross.

January 12, 1918

2012-01-12T18:57:00.000-08:00

Sat. Snow in A.M. Thawing in P.M.

May took music lesson in P.M. Pa came over in P.M. & smoked. May went over to Helen's & played. Tired. Worked hard all day. Baths tonight.

January 11, 1918

2012-01-12T18:55:00.000-08:00

Fri. Warm & Nice

Coal came from Charlestown at noon. Pa came over. Ma . May & I went to A&P & got sugar in A.M. Ma & I went to Dodges Concert in Eve. Good.

January 10, 1918

2012-01-12T18:53:00.000-08:00

Thurs. Warmer

May played out in P.M. Mother is feeling fine. May & I went to movies in Eve. Bum. PA came over in P.M. & A.M.

January 9, 1918

2012-01-12T18:51:00.000-08:00

Wed. Warmer

May played out doors nearly all day. Mother & I went down town in P.M. Got sugar at Handy & Browns. went home after wards. May very tired.

January 8, 1918

2012-01-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Tues. Snow Warmer

Went home in A.M. Ironed in A.M. May. Mother & I went down town in P.M. Paid Wilcomb $2.50 for umbrella. E. got seats for White concert. $26.17

Note: I can't imagine what this concert could have been. That seems like a huge sum of money for those days!

January 7, 1918

2012-01-08T19:58:00.000-08:00

Mon. Snow & Rain & hail

Washed a little in A.M. Went home in A.M. with May. Sewed on May's brown dress in P.M. & Eve. Pa came over in P.M. & Eve. Tired.

January 6, 1918

2012-01-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

Sun. Cold

May & I went home in A.M. & knit. Mother & I went for a walk in P.M. It was lovely. Pa came over in Eve. E. went down town in Eve.

January 5, 1918

2012-01-05T02:04:00.000-08:00

Sat. Cold & Windy

Went home in A.M. Pa came over in P.M. & Eve. E. came home cross. Wish I could enlist. You bet I would go. May & I went down town in Eve for bread.

January 4, 1918

2012-01-04T08:02:00.000-08:00

Fri Cold & windy

Laundry has not come yet. May & I went home in A.M. Down town in P.M. Pa came over in Eve. 200 lbs. coal came. Went down town in Eve. Fixed Ma[?]
Russell Stiles went to Brattleboro Insane Asylum.

January 3, 1918

2012-01-02T17:12:00.000-08:00

Thurs. 36 below zero

Expect coal from Charlestown. Went home in A.M. May went to movies in P.M. Went home & sewed. Pa came over in Eve. Cold water stuck. Thawed it out.

January 2, 1918

2012-01-02T17:10:00.000-08:00

Wed. 40 degrees below zero

Went home in A.M. with May. May & I went down town in P.M. and put her money in bank. Went home in P.M. Pa came over in eve. All in.

January 1, 1918

2012-01-02T17:08:00.000-08:00

Tues. Not as cold but cold

We can have coal. Good. Only 200lbs. Satisfied. More later. May went up to Shirley's. Went home in P.M. and sewed & knit. E. did not work in P.M.

December 31, 1917

2012-01-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

Mon.

Paid Pa $40. Cold again. 35 below zero. Glad May doesn't go to school. Ma May & I went down town in P.M. Ma both a silver teapot at Stiles.

December 30, 1917

2012-01-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

Sun. coldest A.M. we have had in yrs. 35 below zero. We have kept warm. May & I went home in P.M. Pa came over. Played India.

December 29, 1917

2012-01-02T17:01:00.000-08:00

Sat. cold as deuce

We hugged stove all day. Hot water stuck. MA came over. Thawed it out. Wound it with paper in P.M. Cleaned up stairs.

December 28, 1917

2012-01-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

Cold Terrible

Did not get up until 10. May & I slept fine. May went down town. Terrible cold. Our coal is getting low. Government takes railroads.

December 27, 1917

2012-01-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

Thurs. Cold

Ironed in a.M. Went home. Ma & Pa came over.Mended in P.M. Helen & Ruth came over. May went to Helen's.

December 26, 1917

2012-01-02T16:41:00.000-08:00

Wed. Lovely Cold

Fred & Marion went to Orange at noon. All in. Didn't we all get lots of presents. Cora & Bill & June are here. Saw Bill & June. MA & I went down town. May stayed with Grandpa.

December 25, 1917

2012-01-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

Thurs. Cloudy Merry Xmas

Sent the last of the Xmas packages yesterday. Thank goodness. Had a grand time over home Turkey dinner. May had tree. she was happy. Marion stayed. Got dishes. Silk dress. May got wrist watch. Ma got two chairs.

December 24, 1917

2012-01-02T16:35:00.000-08:00

Cold Mon. ###

Marion & I went to Xmas concert in A.M. yesterday. Had it today to save fuel. May spoke first yesterday. Fred & Ma & Pa came over. Knit.

December 23, 1917

2012-01-02T16:31:00.000-08:00

Sun. Looks like rain.

Fred came home Ma & I went down town yesterday. in P.M. Got 2 lbs. of sugar at Stearrns & Handys. Marion got Ma some. Shopped in Eve yesterday. Tired.

Note: Looks like Ada messed up on these days and has gone back and written "yesterday"

December 22, 1917

2012-01-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

Cold Sat.

May spoke at school yesterday. Went to rehearsal at church after school yesterday. Mother & I went down town in P.M. yesterday. Class to us.

December 21, 1917

2012-01-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

Cold Friday

Crocheted on Mother's jacket. Last day of school. Pa came in. Ma came over. Ma & I went down town in P.M. Marion & I went down town in Eve.

December 20, 1917

2012-01-01T14:03:00.001-08:00

Thurs. Cold

Seems grand to have Mother home. She & I went down town in P.M. Went in Stiles. Mother bought berry spoon for Marion. Met May.

December 19, 1917

2012-01-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

Wed. Cold

Ironed in A.M. Went down town in P.M. Met May after school. Mother came at 9 in Eve. Oyster stew for her.

December 18, 1917

2012-01-01T13:59:00.000-08:00

Tues. Cold

Lester Stiles closed up. Went home and swept house. Made pie. Went down town in P.M. Went to meet Ma in eve. Did not come.

December 17, 1917

2012-01-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Mon. Lovely

Marion is better. May brought home an excellent report card. Glad. She & Grandpa went down town. Mr. Hoisington buried. Got letter from Ma.

December 16, 1917

2012-01-01T13:50:00.000-08:00

Sun. Lovely

Marion has terrible cold. Doane came up in Eve. Pa came over in P.M. took Sam's breakfast over to him. Worked all day. Did not change dress.

Note: Doane is a Doctor. While Ada's mother is away on an extended visit, Ada is helping out with everything at that house too, including laundry and housework for Pa and taking over breakfast for her mother's brother, Sam.
I guess not changing her dress is an indication of how busy she is - since she apparently changed after her work was done on most days.

December 15, 1917

2012-01-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

Sat. Lovely & Cold

Marion, May & I went to Claremont at 11:40 home at 7. Had a good time. Had tow Westerns. They were good. E. had a nice hot oyster stew waiting for us.

December 14, 1917

2012-01-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

Fri. Cold & Windy

Snow is terrible deep. May wore leggings to school. Ironed in A.M. Went home. Got letter from Ma. Sewed and knit. Pa came in. Early to bed.

December 13, 1917

2012-01-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

Thurs. Cold Snow in Eve

May & I went to "Runaways." Very good. Cold there. Went home. Pa came over. Sewed in P.M. Snow deep when we came home. Tired.

December 12, 1917

2011-12-31T16:42:00.000-08:00

Wed. Cold 20 below zero.

Cleaned down stairs in A.M. Men came in P.M. to put on storm doors. Mr. Hoisington very sick. Went down town after supper. Got a letter from Ma.

December 11, 1917

2011-12-31T16:40:00.000-08:00

Tues. Cold

Washed a little in A.M. May & I went down town in P.M. Bought tickets for "Runaways". Pa came over. Sewed in Eve.

December 10, 1917

2011-12-31T16:37:00.000-08:00

Note: Ada has written on this page but notes at the top "this is for November 6"

Mother's birthday. Gave her petticoat & gloves. Mother is feeling pretty good. Getting ready to go away after Thanksgiving. Pa gave her coat.

December 9, 1917

2011-12-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

Sun. Cold & Windy

Wind blew & snowed all night. Went home in A.M. Took Sam's breakfast over to him. May & Grandpa has a feed. (sic) Grandpa came over. Bed early.

December 8, 1917

2011-12-31T16:30:00.000-08:00

Sat. Snow in P.M.

Did not get up until10 min of 10. Went down town in P.M. with Marion. Bought blanket. Grandpa came over. May's yarn came. got letter from Ma. She is fine.
Halifax swept with blizzard after disaster.

December 7, 1917

2011-12-31T16:28:00.000-08:00

Fri. Cold Big explosion at Halifax. 2,000 dead

Ironed in P.M. Went home and did work in A.M. Ironed Ma's clothes & mended Pa's & Sam's & my own in Eve. May is getting along fine.

December 6, 1917

2011-12-31T16:26:00.000-08:00

Thurs. Cold & Fair

Went to movies in Eve, with Marion. May is a lot better. Went to Locke's in P.M. and had 2 teeth filled. Grandpa came over with May.

December 5, 1917

2011-12-31T16:24:00.000-08:00

Wed. Cold & Fair

May is better. slept pretty good. Got a letter from Fred & Ma. She is fine. Awfully glad. May went over to Grandpa's in P.M. Went down town.

December 4, 1917

2011-12-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

Tues. Lovely

May slept until 9:30 A.M. Much better today. Pa came over in P.M. Y Eve. Went down town. Home in a.M. & worked. Miss Fowler came in Eve. Bob at Fort M. Washington D.C.

December 3, 1917

2011-12-31T16:20:00.000-08:00

Mon. Lovely

Mother & Fred started for Prov. by way of Boston. Class to Ma. Pretty lonesome. Wish I could go somewhere. Pa came over. Miss R.'s birthday. May suffers terribly.

December 2, 1917

2011-12-31T16:17:00.000-08:00

Sun. Cold & Fine

Dr. Chapman put chicken pox card on house. Pa & Ma came over. Fred & Miss R. came from Orange in P.M. Over in Eve. Worked hard all day. Hate to have Ma go.

December 1, 1917

2011-12-31T16:15:00.000-08:00

Sat. Snow

May has the chicken-pox, did not take lesson. Ma went down town in Eve. Hurrah. Sick headache all day. Pa & Ma over in Eve. Better.

November 30, 1917

2011-11-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

Fri. Cloudy

May went over to Josephine's in P.M. Do not feel very well. Went down town in P.M. Red Cross yarn came. Started sweater. Fred came over.

November 29, 1917

2011-11-29T18:11:00.000-08:00

Thurs.

Thanksgiving. Lots to be thankful for. Had 8 to dinner. Miss R. stayed here for turkey. May had a good time. E. made me tired. Feel bad.

November 28, 1917

2011-11-29T18:08:00.000-08:00

Wed. Cloudy

School kept until quarter of one. Fixed turkey. Went down town in P.M. May went to Helen's. Fred came. May & I went down town in Eve,

No Entries

2011-11-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

There are no further entries until November 28, other than "forgot" on every page.

November 10, 1917

2011-11-20T17:22:00.001-08:00

forgot.

all tired

November 9, 1917

2011-11-20T17:21:00.002-08:00

forgot

Busy.

November 8, 1917

2011-11-20T17:21:00.001-08:00

Forgot.

Didn't get time to write.

November 7, 1917

2011-11-20T17:20:00.001-08:00

Forgot.

Ma is sick.

November 6, 1917

2011-11-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

Mon. Cold This is for Dec 10 [?]
Ironed in a.M. Went home Pa came over. Sewed in P.M. and Eve. Marion went to rehearsal. May is getting along fine.

Note: The diary gets sporadic for awhile. Ada's mother seems to take a turn for the worse again.

November 5, 1917

2011-11-20T17:09:00.000-08:00

Sun. Lovely

Headache. Inez & Archie & kids came. Felt bum. Pa came over. MAy had good time. Went home in Eve.

Note: Archie is Ernest's brother and Inez(Sumner) Illingworth is Archie's wife. They had three boys at this point, Howard, Edward and Robert. They later had two girls. Ruth and Ann. I think they lived in Bellows Falls and I don't think Ada was very fond of them.

November 4, 1917

2011-11-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

Sat.

Worked nearly all day. Brought up coats from H. & S. May went to Movies in P.M. Pa came over. Down town in Eve.

November 3, 1917

2011-11-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

Fri.

Marion's furs came. Returned them. Went to Parent teacher Reception at School House. Bum. We were over-dressed. Came home & changed.

November 2, 1917

2011-11-20T17:04:00.001-08:00

Thu.

There is no entry for this date.

November 1, 1917

2011-11-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

Wed.

Ironed a little in A.M. Went home. Mother is better. Knit & sewed in P.M. & Eve

October 31, 1917

2011-10-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

Tues. Rain all day

Ironed a little Feel bum. Mother is better. thank goodness. Finished May's coat. PA came in. Went to bed in P.M.

October 30, 1917

2011-10-31T16:34:00.000-07:00

Mon. Rain in P.M.

Mother is not as well. Dr. D. changed medicine. Sewed in P.M and Eve. went home about 5 times. Evelyn Greene came in P.M. with May.

October 29, 1917

2011-10-31T16:32:00.000-07:00

Sun. Lovely

Worked all day. Miss R. went to church. Headache in P.M. Went home. Mother does not feel well again. Oh dear. Pa came over. May went to walk.

October 28, 1917

2011-10-31T16:29:00.000-07:00

Sat. Lovely

Mother is a lot better. Hurrah. Helped at food sale at LaFountains store. Altrurian club made $23.60. Went down town in Eve. All in. S.H.S. tied Amherst.

October 27, 1917

2011-10-31T16:28:00.001-07:00

Fri.

Mother is about the same. Wish she was well. Sewed in P.M. Went home about 5 times. May is fine only coughs. Knit in Eve.

October 26, 1917

2011-10-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

Thurs. Beautiful

Mother feels a lot better. Hurrah. She went out a little in A.M. Went over in P.M. & sewed. Pa went to Civilisation. Bum.

October 25, 1917

2011-10-31T16:22:00.000-07:00

Thurs. Cloudy & Fair

Mother is better to-day. Got gold beads from Fred. She is tickled to pieces with them. Put them right on. went down town in P.M. to Drs. All in.

October 24, 1917

2011-10-31T16:03:00.000-07:00

Wed. Rain

Liberty Loan Day. Flag raising at J&L. E. did not work in P.M. Mother is not feeling well again. What will i do. Went to Drs & Ideal in Eve.

October 23, 1917

2011-10-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

Tues.

All discouraged about Ma. Wish I could do something to make her feel better. Paid Miss Baker for Sept. $ .54. Went home nearly all day.

October 22, 1917

2011-10-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

Mon. Lovely

Cleaned shed & pantry. Went home. Sold paper & rags. Got $ .50. Sewed & knit in Eve. Went home in Eve. Shirley came in.

October 21, 1917

2011-10-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

Sun. Lovely

May did not go to S.S. Mother is a whole lot better. Glad. Miss R. May & I went to walk in P.M. Put candles of [sic] table for lunch. Pa came in.

October 20, 1917

2011-10-31T15:53:00.000-07:00

Sat. Beautiful

Went to Council of War at Opera House in P.M. with Miss R. It was grand. Thrilled everyone. May - Miss R. & I went down town in Eve. Tired.

October 19, 1917

2011-10-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

Fri. Grand

Made three pumpkin pies. Went down town in P.M. Ironed in Eve. Stockings & petticoat came from Gilchrists. Grand.

October 18, 1917

2011-10-31T15:50:00.000-07:00

Thurs. Grand day.

Went down town in P.M. for Ma. She is a whole lot better. Awfully glad. Dr. Doane came. Went to Movies.

October 17, 1917

2011-10-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

Wed.

Worried about Mother. Dr. Doane came up. Says she must be careful. Went to movies with Miss R. Pretty good.

October 16, 1917

2011-10-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

Tues.

May promised to behave in school. Ironed in P.M. Pa May & I went to movies in P.M. They were pretty good.

October 15, 1917

2011-10-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

Mon.

Report cards today. May got a horrid. [sic] She raised the dickens in school. Talked with Miss Flavin after school. May cried.

Note: I think this is the only time May is "bad" until much later in her life. She was a very smart child - she had skipped a grade - and was a lifelong and proud member of Mensa.
I wonder what was going on for her at this time?

October 14, 1917

2011-10-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Sun. Lovely

May went down town with E. Went to ride with Doane's in P.M. E. May & I went to Claremont. Grand.

October 13, 1917

2011-10-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

Sat.

Cooked in A.M. May is a lot better. Mother came over. Mrs. Bichees [?] auction in P.M. Sam bought toilet set.

October 12, 1917

2011-10-15T17:14:00.000-07:00

Fri. Columbus Day

E. has half holiday but did not work all day. Rainy. Went to movies with Miss R. They were bum.

October 11, 1917

2011-10-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

Thurs.

May did not go to school. One session today. Parent - Teacher's Convention here today & tomorrow. Mary Leland called in Eve.

October 10, 1917

2011-10-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

Wed.

Ironed in A.M. & cooked. May stayed home from school. Went to movies in Eve. with Miss R. Saw Petrova. She was bum. Tired.

October 9, 1917

2011-10-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

Tues.
Ironed a little. May's cold is just the same. Went down town in P.M. Knit on sweater in Eve.

October 8, 1917

2011-10-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

Mon.

Fred went in A.M. May has a little cold. Washed a little in A.M. Knit in Eve. Went home. Ma has a cold.

October 7, 1917

2011-10-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

Sun.

Worked hard. Helped mother with a feed in Eve. May went to S.S. Miss R. & I were silly in Eve. Fred came over.

October 6, 1917

2011-10-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

Sat.

Worked hard as dickens. Miss R. bought hat & shoes. May & I stayed home in Eve. Did not touch Miss R.s candy.

Note: What the HECK does that mean?

October 5, 1917

2011-10-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

Fri. Cleaned up stairs

Ernest & I went to Children's Night at Eastern Star Hall. May was in the dances & drills. Mary Leland director.

October 4, 1917

2011-10-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Thurs. Fine

Fred came over. Ironed in A.M. Ma & Pa came over. May & I went to Movies with Ma. They were good.

October 3, 1917

2011-10-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

Wed.

Fred came for vacation. Brought music & May's music roll. Parent - Teacher's Meeting. Did not go.

October 2, 1917

2011-10-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Tues. Lovely

Made nine glasses of crab apple jelly. Drafted men go to Ayer. Lead off at 11-40. Did not go. Sam went to Bockton [?] Fair. He is the limit.

Note: Sam is her uncle - her mother's brother. I'm not sure what his story is but he lives with his sister until he dies (in the 1930s)
I've never heard of "Bockton" but that's what it looks like.
No, I guess it's Brockton and it looks like it's in MA.

October 1, 1917

2011-10-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

Mon. Lovely

Whistles blew all over N.S. at 10A.M. 2nd Liberty Bond campaign. Blew 5 minutes. Washed a little in A.M. Lura came over. Knit.

September 30, 1917

2011-10-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

Sun Rain in P.M. Fine in P.M.

Did not get up until after nine. Stayed in all day. Miss R. made fudge in P.M. May went home to dinner. Ma came over for tea.